MSNBC is facing significant challenges just weeks after launching a new primetime lineup intended to regain viewership. Recent leaked ratings indicate that the network has witnessed a staggering decline, losing 41% in the primetime demographic and 34% across total day viewership when compared to May 2024.
This downturn is particularly notable for Jen Psaki, who stepped into the 9pm timeslot on May 5, taking over from Rachel Maddow, a longstanding anchor known for her popularity. Maddow had expressed confidence in Psaki’s ability to excel, yet the new ratings reveal that Psaki has struggled to attract viewers. On May 22, her show “The Briefing with Jen Psaki” failed to exceed 1 million viewers, while Sean Hannity’s competing Fox News program drew in 2.3 million.
Psaki’s show also fared poorly within the critical 25-54 age demographic, securing just 55,000 viewers compared to Hannity’s 210,000. Meanwhile, the newly launched “The Weeknight,” a panel program featuring personalities like Alicia Menendez, Michael Steele, and Symone Sanders Townsend, has seen even lower ratings, averaging only 770,000 viewers—36% down from the previous year.
The ratings decline extends beyond Psaki, as Maddow’s own Monday night show averaged 1.8 million viewers in the new lineup, reflecting a 24% decrease from last year’s figures. Notably, CNN, while still trailing Fox News, outperformed MSNBC in the key demographic, yet both networks face pressure as Fox reports a 21% increase in overall viewership.
Amidst this disappointing landscape, MSNBC is also dealing with internal disruptions. Notable figures like Steve Kornacki have exited the network, opting to remain with NBC News instead, while Ari Melber is rumored to be exploring opportunities outside of MSNBC—potentially launching his own media venture. This instability comes at a time when the network has initiated plans for a spin-off into a publicly traded company, leading to further speculation about its future direction.
Despite the challenges facing MSNBC, this situation opens the door for potential change and renewal, offering opportunities for innovation in programming and engagement with audiences. With the rise of competing networks like NewsNation, which recently reported a 21% increase in total viewers, there may still be pathways for MSNBC to adapt and thrive in an evolving media landscape.